Illegal Elver Fishing in Maritimes Leads to 37 Charges After Chaotic Year

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans cites enforcement challenges as arrests and black-market activity surged following the fishery's closure.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has formally charged 37 individuals with offences related to illegal elver fishing in 2024, with more charges potentially forthcoming.
Illegal elver fishing surged after the federal government shut down the fishery in March, citing conservation concerns and reports of violence.
The lucrative black market for elvers, driven by high demand from Asian aquaculture facilities, continues to challenge enforcement efforts in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
DFO reported 169 arrests and the seizure of 29 vehicles this year, but enforcement officials described the season as particularly difficult due to limited resources.
The federal government is considering significant changes to the fishery, including redistributing quotas to First Nations and individual fishermen, though critics question the effectiveness of these measures.